Why can't humans do it too?

"Riku, Riku must be so heartbroken... It's all Nona's fault..."

The little girl's tears streamed down her face like raindrops, and no amount of wiping them away with her sleeve could stop them.

But Suhr had had enough—he had had enough of this world.

Chapter Thirty-Two: Transfer

"...You are all our heroes," the little girl sobbed. "Whether it's Daddy, Sulgo, Riku, or everyone else, you are all heroes who protected us..."

"She said those things to the hero... Nona, Nona must be in a terrible state..."

The little girl's world was filled with despair.

Unable to listen to Nona continue, Suer hugged the little girl tightly, as if trying to merge her with himself, sharing her pain, her warmth, and her sorrow.

hero.

Such heavy words.

A hero who escapes by sacrificing himself?

"No," Sur said through trembling teeth, "You're not wrong, Nona."

"It's all Nona's fault! It is!" Nona retorted loudly, only to be hugged even tighter by Suer in the next moment, making her voice sound muffled.

Without saying a word, Suer just gasped for breath, holding Nona and shaking her back and forth.

He could no longer tolerate it.

Nona's apology, her thoughtfulness, her kindness... she's so sensible, so incredibly sensible—why the hell is she so sensible!

Suer was so angry he couldn't control himself.

A child who is not even nine years old, in a normal world, should be sweetly hugged in her parents' arms right now, right? The thing she thinks about most every day is to secretly find a chance to sneak out to play, to beg her parents to buy her the newest and prettiest little dresses, and to play happily with other children her age, never thinking about any worries.

But Nona was so sensible; she understood the logic of the world, knew the suffering of others, and even knew how to share that feeling—even though the person who died was her father.

why?

Why should victims who have already suffered grief be expected to rationally empathize with others?

Why is he such a child?

Suer's temples were throbbing; he couldn't accept this world.

This world was abnormal to Sull, like a monster that defied reason.

"It's alright, Nona, it's alright..." Suer could only murmur this over and over again, as if he were holding a baby to sleep, gently rocking him.

Lost in time, Suer held Nona in her arms, gently patting her back until she heard the little girl's soft breathing in her embrace.

After placing the sleeping Nona on his bed and covering her with a blanket, Suer looked down at his clothes, which were stained with tears and snot, and couldn't help but smile bitterly. But compared to this small matter, perhaps because he had released his suppressed emotions, Nona's expression was incredibly peaceful as she slept, untroubled by any worries. She should be able to get a good rest.

After thinking for a moment, Suer sat back down at the table, picked up another piece of animal hide from the side, pondered for a moment, and then began to write on it. It wasn't a very long message. After finishing writing and checking it several times, he placed it next to the sleeping Nona's pillow.

This was his final hope and blessing for Nona.

After changing his clothes and making one last round of packing, Suer took the densely covered animal hide with the writing already on it, lit the lamp, and looked around the cave one last time, engraving every detail of the cave into his mind.

“…Sulge…” In her sleep, Nona gripped the corner of the blanket as if she were holding Sulge’s hand, and a sweet smile appeared on her lips. “…Good luck.”

"..."

Call ~

Suer extinguished the lights.

Good dreams.

--------------

He stuffed a handful of grass into the beak of the bird-bearing beast in the pen, and seeing the intelligent animal affectionately rubbing its head against his hand, Su'er took the opportunity to pat its head.

These are four-legged animals, somewhat similar to horses, but with bird-like beaks and two spiraling, slender horns on their heads. Instead of a horse's tail, they have long tails like dinosaur tails. Suer calls them bird-borne beasts. These are the domesticated animals used by humans in this world for transportation and carrying goods. To be honest, they are quite intelligent, not only knowing how to hide themselves in danger, but also having the ability to find their way automatically.

After untying the reins of the bird-like beast, Su'er led it towards the edge of the settlement.

It was nighttime, the time when most people in the settlement were resting. Although they lived in caves, Riku and Sur still managed to set up a timer for everyone and asked them to follow the rotation of day and night.

Thanks to this incident, Suer no longer has to worry about running into too many people at this time, which makes things much more convenient.

When Suer led the bird-beast to the stone pillar in the center of the settlement, he couldn't help but stop and look at the forty-eight crystals wrapped around the top of the pillar. Compared to its previous appearance, the one representing Ivan was now quietly sitting there, swaying slightly, perhaps because it had seen Suer's arrival.

"Don't worry too much about Nona, Ivan. That child is different from you; she's very smart..." With a slightly amused expression, Suer looked around, wanting to etch this scene into his mind.

"Ah, Sur!"

Suddenly, a familiar shout rang out. When Sull turned around, he saw Kredo standing there. The young man, who had just recovered, still had a lingering weakness on his face, but more than anything, he was filled with curiosity.

"Sul, you're going out at this time...? The expedition just ended, right? You should still have enough supplies," Kredo ran over and asked, puzzled.

"There are some things that need to be taken care of," Sull explained briefly, then patted Credo on the shoulder and asked, "How's the recovery going?"

"Yes, I'm much better now, all thanks to the herbs you brought back, Suer. It really saved my life," Credo said with an innocent grin, scratching his head. "Um, I heard from Ke'er that you stayed by my side and watched over me when I was sick. Thank you so much, Suer."

"No need to be so polite. If you encounter any difficulties or have any questions in the future, remember to ask Lenny. If Lenny doesn't know, ask Riku. Take good care of yourself and don't be so reckless anymore," Suer said with a smile, waving his hand. "By the way, since you're here, I don't need to bother the gatekeeper. Give this to Riku after you wake up tomorrow."

As he spoke, Sull handed the bound animal hide, covered in writing, to Credo.

Chapter Thirty-Three: I Was Born for This

"Huh? Should I hand it over?" Credo looked a little nervous. "If it's something important, you should give it to Riku yourself, Sur..."

"Are you still a little afraid of Riku?" Sur looked at the nervous and uneasy young man with amusement.

Perhaps it's because he usually acts too cold and authoritative, but Credo is always a little afraid of Riku.

"Hahaha," as expected, upon hearing Sull say it so directly, Credo awkwardly scratched his head.

"It's alright, Riku is actually a cold-faced but warm-hearted person. You'll find out once you spend more time with him," Suer comforted him with a smile.

"Well, I know Riku is a good person, but I always feel so nervous around him... cough cough. Well then, leave this task to me! Sur! I'll definitely deliver it to Riku intact tomorrow!" Credo stood up straight and solemnly promised, "I absolutely won't peek!"

With a soft chuckle, Sull patted Credo on the shoulder again without saying anything more, then led the bird-bearer toward the gate. The guards there had already seen him approaching, and Credo was right beside him.

all the best.

He smiled and said goodbye to his companions at the door, smoothly left Credo's sight, and smoothly left the place where he had stayed for three years and even regarded it as his second home.

After securing his dust mask and pulling the hood up tightly over his head, Suer mounted the bird-like beast and had to get as fast as he could to the place where he had come ashore from the river.

There was no farewell, because he knew that if he told Kole or Riku about his plans, they would definitely object... or rather, Sull hoped they would object.

So let's keep everything in a beautiful, unrevealed fantasy.

Suer could indeed gamble, betting that the orcs might not react, betting that the orcs would continue to disregard the monkeys among the beasts who had their own language, but he was afraid.

Even if the settlement could really move indefinitely as Liku claimed, even if half the population were lost during the migration, these were just arbitrary predictions. It was more likely that everyone in the settlement would be wiped out during the migration.

Sue could not make the assumption that everything would go smoothly.

Therefore, he had to divert all the attention and pursuit from the orcs and go in another direction to leave a safe space for everyone in the settlement.

This is something only Sull could do, leaving behind only his blood.

The journey that would have taken several days was greatly shortened with the help of a means of transportation. Raising his hand to pull the reins, he signaled the bird-bearer to stop here. Suer looked around and identified the terrain.

This must be the place; the place where he walked in the water to escape the orcs' pursuit.

He had indeed panicked, been afraid, and had many despicable thoughts in his mind—such as keeping his own affairs a secret, hiding in the settlement and waiting for the day when everyone would be killed together, and even having the right to evacuate first as the camp elder, since he was still responsible for guiding everyone to survive...

But in the end, it was still impossible to do so.

Cole's caring words and attention, Riku's frank and almost selfless declaration, and Nona... even such young children understood these principles, the prayers contained in their innocent sobs, and those pure and kind hearts...

It was as if lamps radiating warmth and heat illuminated Suer's world, giving him courage and strength.

If everyone must have at least one moment in their life when they muster the courage to do something they know is impossible, then this is the moment I have been waiting for all my life—Suer gladly accepted this fate.

“This time… it really is my turn to be the hero,” a slight smile appeared on the corner of his mouth beneath the mask. Suer gently cut his finger and watched quietly as the bright red blood dripped down his outstretched finger and splashed on the cold rock.

This is the signal.

Without any intention of stopping the bleeding, Suer kicked the bird-beast's belly hard, and the next moment, the beast carried Suer and ran quickly—heading westward.

The drops of blood, like plum blossoms falling on the snow, spread out, blooming on what was destined to be an incredibly long journey.

'Is there any meaning to living?' The conversation with Riku that day echoed in his mind, and Sull gently replied, 'As for meaning… I already have it…'

Even if it's a one-way journey to hell, Suer wants to live with his back straight, carrying all his dignity and pride, until the day he stops breathing.

So, Orcs... please take revenge for that dead Orc, even if it's just out of curiosity.

Please.

This is the only way to do it.

Otherwise, wouldn't my determination and escape seem like a joke?

--------------

"Cough, cough, cough!" Sul coughed desperately, covering his mouth and nose even more tightly.

He was currently in a desert. He had been forced to enter this dangerous place to escape what was probably a war between goblins and forest elves, and now even finding water was difficult.